Astronomy is Essential! Astronomy is the most ancient science. A lot of other modern sciences were originally learned from studying the Sun, Moon and stars. In spite of these facts, astronomy has “fallen through the cracks” of modern education. Many students (and their parents) consider astronomy to be an optional subject, “for people who like that sort of thing.” Yet astronomy really is an essential subject. It’s as fundamental as day and night! Part of the problem is, in our modern world today, we don’t learn much about Classical As- tronomy, and all the many ways that this subject touches are our daily lives. In this ebook, you can read some of my astronomy articles that have been published in the big homeschool magazines. After you’ve read those, there’s an article from our website called giving a full description of Classical Astronomy. We’ve also linked to our site, where you can read more about our homeschool curriculum: Signs & Seasons: Understanding the Elements of Classical Astronomy I hope you all enjoy this ebook, and learn some exciting facts about Classical Astronomy! If you’d like to learn more, you can search or browse the 300+ articles at our web site, and sign up for our free astronomy email newsletter! Please visit: www.ClassicalAstronomy.com Thanks for your interest, and God bless your efforts to learn about the sky! Clear skies! Jay Ryan Contents: 7 Reasons Why You Should Be Teaching Astronomy Originally published in Home School Encrichment® magazine — Sept/Oct 2008. Astronomy - Why Bother? Originally published in The Old Schoolhouse® magazine — Winter 2008. The American Almanack Tradition Originally published in Homeschooling Today® magazine — July/August 2008. 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DQGXQGHUVWDQGWKHVHDVRQDOSODFH PHQWV RIWKH6XQDQG0RRQDPRQJWKHVH FRQVWHOODWLRQV DVWKH\IROORZWKHLUF\FOHV 7KLVFDQHQULFKRXURXWGRRUH[SHULHQFHDQG JLYH XVDQHQKDQFHGDSSUHFLDWLRQIRUWKH /25'¶6 FUHDWLRQ :PV$BO-PPLBUUIF4LZGPS'3&& 7KHVN\LVDOZD\VWKHUHDQGFDQEHVHHQ DQ\WLPHWKHFORXGVSDUW7KHUHLVQRFKDUJH IRUORRNLQJDWWKHVN\ DQGQRRQHFDQWDNH DZD\ZKDWWKH/25' KDVJLYHQ\RXWRVHHLQ WKHVN\DERYH +BZ3ZBOBIPNFTDIPPMJOHGBUIFSPGGJWFJO $MFWFMBOE 0IJP)FJTUIFBVUIPSPG 4JHOT 4FBTPOT B#JCMJDBMMZPSJFOUFEIJHITDIPPM DVSSJDVMVN GPS$IS JTUJBO IPNFTDIPPMFST 'PS NPSF JOGPSNBUJPO QMFBTFWJTJU XXX$MBTTJDBM"TUSPOPNZDPN 4FQ0DU What is Classical Astronomy? By Jay Ryan http://www.classicalastronomy.com For many people, the word “astronomy” evokes images of NASA space flights, the Hubble Space Telescope, and PBS programs about “the Big Bang.” Many other people think astronomy has something to do with science fiction – “far-out’” ideas about travelling in space ships and encountering aliens from other planets. Others confuse the science of astronomy with the ancient superstition of astrology, and imagine that the legitimate study of the celestial sky has something to do with the “New Age” movement, or ancient pagan magic and divination. But all of these are largely misconceptions, and do not represent the true heritage of astronomy. Classical Astronomy represents the traditional study of the sky as it has been done for centuries, even before the invention of the telescope. In its most simple expression, classical astronomy is simply skywatching, enjoying the celestial creation for its own natural beauty. Is there anyone who hasn’t been amazed by a blazing sunset? Or seen a wondrous crescent moon hanging in a deep blue twilight? Or been astounded by the sight of bright, twinkling stars in a dark, rural sky? Such celestial sights truly prove that: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. -Psalm 19:1. The Scope of Classical Astronomy Classical astronomy is the basis for our entire system of timekeeping, and has its foundation in the Bible. We read in Scripture that this is the very purpose for which God created the Sun, Moon and stars: And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons, for days and years. – Genesis 1:14 The Day is the 24 hour period of light and darkness, and perhaps the most plain fact of life on Earth. The Month is based on the 29 1/2 day cycle of the phases of the Moon. The Year is the annual cycle of Sun’s tilted path through the stars, resulting in longer and shorter days, and a warming and cooling in the climate. In the centuries before modern clocks and calendars, the Sun, Moon and stars were the only means for measuring the passage of time. And to the trained eye, the sky provides numerous “signs” to help observers to know their time and place under the Sun, Moon and stars. The classical study of astronomy is intertwined